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Morning Blessings: Two Forms of the Evil Inclination



“Let not the Evil Inclination dominate us. Distance us from an evil person and an evil companion.” The Vilna Gaon describes two forms of the Evil Inclination; Internal and External. Because a person is so influenced by his friends, he must form relationships with righteous people and keep his distance from the wicked (Rambam, Hilchot Dei’ot 6:1). When we pray, “Let not the Evil Inclination dominate us,” we are asking that we be empowered by our Torah study to be saved from our internal Evil Inclination. We then address the external Evil Inclination when we say, “Distance us from an evil person and an evil companion.” (Da’at Chochmah u’Mussar, Volume 2, 89)

 

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